Thru The Grapevine Travel BLOG
FALL is a great time to book your holdiay and winter vacation.
VILLAS IN ITALY - THE LAKES
3/4/20089:05:20 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Bellagio, Italian castles, Italian villas, lakes region of Italy
The Italian Lake District: Lake Como, Varese, Maggiore and Lake Gardo are natural glacier-made lakes with snow covered mountains nearby. From beautiful Bellagio to the nearby villages of Pescallo. Oliviero, Taronico and Casate are so beautiful. Lovely villas and medieval castles give you a "glimpse into another world".
The tiny ports on Lake Como are a sight to behold. From Como, to Lecco, to Bellagio and Tremezzo you might find cathedrals, monasteries, terraced gardens and quaint streets.
Lake Maggiore's crystal clear waters will sparkle with colors from jade green to deepest blue. Isole Borromee, is a cluster of small islands with a baroque palace and beautiful gardens.
Milan, the Italian center for fashion is near the Lakes region.
The local food and wine have brought many back to this region. Fresh water fish, zuppa pavese, risotto and gnocchi blend with the local Cabernets, Merlots and Pinots, but the robust Teroldego is the main red. Near the Swiss/Italian border you will find many vineyards.
With "Cottages to Castles" you can book your stay in the lakes region and know that you will be staying in a credible casa or villa. I have booked clients through this company and have been impressed by their knowledge of individual properties. A week's stay is suggested, but a three to six night stay is sometimes available. Check out our website; www.thruthegrapevinetravel.com and click on the Book Italian Villas button. Email me your dates for your Italian Lakes region holiday.
Buon Giorno!
VILLAS IN ITALY
2/27/20089:47:29 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
cottages, farmhouses and villas, Italian castles
Olive groves and vineyards........that is what I want to see in Italy! Many of my travel clients want to visit Italy and I find Rome, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Naples, Sorrento, Milan and the list of cities goes on. BUT.......Italy, like so many other countries has so much to offer in the beauty and history of it's countryside. Perhaps the real beauty lies in the rolling hills, mountains, streams, rivers and YES in the olive groves and vineyard.
It is no surprise that I would be interested in submersing myself in the things I love most. Each region has something different to offer. From the Lakes region, through Tuscany, Le Marche, Umbria, Lazio, Abruzzo, Neapolitan Riviera, Puglia, Sardinia, Basilicata and Sicily.
If the city life is not for you while on vacation, how about a castle or a cottage or a farmhouse or a villa in Italy? Many say yes, yes, and yes...tell me more! And I will!
Cottages to Castles is a Europe based company that is celebrating its 25th anniversary as specialist tour operators, solely offering Italian villa holidays. I have chosen them to feature on my website and the can be found by clicking on the button "click here for exclusive Italian villas'. Just that click takes you to a world of properties for rent in Italy for a week to an extended stay. The quality exclusive villas, apartments, and houses are spread over twelve regions of Italy, with many choices of property type, size and location. Many accomodations are independent or family run and allow for an enviable level of service, and especially villa and area knowledge.
Cottages to Castles has maintained a permanent office in Italy and conduct checks of each property to ensure good quality and a fair price. Beware of booking or paying directly to owners on the Internet. Who checks on the quality, how safe is your money you pay upfront or what happens if you have problems during your stay? "A small saving on price is no compensation for a ruined holiday."
If you are thinking of scooter, walking or cycling trips to Italy, Cottages to Castles offers customized trips that are all professionally guided so nothing is left to chance.
The enclosed pictures will only whet your appetite. Go to www.thruthegrapevinetravel.com , click on the Italian villas button and enjoy.
Next time I will begin my begin my virtual journey to 12 regions of Italy. I can't wait, how about you?
